•■^-•*»n»K»»«ii«(;rA'-S-:«-.v'.-k;::*tiii;„^«,ASiSBSJ'
fHiicrtlairp.
StEtS9BZX«
FOR THECENTISEL.
rT!i; fo'ilcj vin;^ Ltr.ty was wrote auJ piihlifl'.eJ imrne-
♦Viucly aftei' the .rrc.it fiie, March 20, 1 ';6o, and is now
rei)u^h!h:il as a;).>licJibie to il)e late Coufl^gratiou]
T.iE imcert^iiiity of h'ursan life, the tranf.tory nature
a'lJ coiuiniral /icifiiMJes otthis pref^nt Hate of bei-aj;
niul of all cn;oy^.lsav^ :\nd poireUions in it, are truths io
well known 10 every tlioug' tfvil pcrfi)n,anii have {o ofu'a
Veen the fuhjecls of j'.iuicious wi'itrrs i'l all ages, that the
rtro-!t;iftiavtinticn c^n perhaps foarctfi 'id any thing novv
po vW'iVy am! a m'^v'.el^ Mdfe vvith reludiance u;u!ertakes
the ihc^ne : Vet fich is the fr.iiUy* of huinan nature, that
wiicn a fuJUcii Cutaftrophe l"urroui-5.ls us themintl isfint-
tereJ an.l vlirco;ic«rteil, and lIocs not r-'aJily collefl th.)fe
rcfiet^inns fuiiablc* tt> the occafjon, or elie by Jiasnng
been nf^tl to r.egiedl fuch refi?(?Vi;)ns, froTi a coii^feptiun
that they mnft needs flo-.v naturally f'ro.ii fvscU calamities
a-. Ihould prcducc thenV, the rr.i-iJ throi^jh ujriife^ may
not immeJiateiy conceive them wlieti v.-cintjd. It is
tru;, ilie voice of naturt has ah^ays hsen the fame,
is continually founding, and ur.uerftood by nil ; yet
Aran^.'^ ^" f-'iy> what we hear t!ic ofteneft, v\'e attv-nd to
the leafl, and what wc are fhe moft cert.iia of, wa g;ive
the l^^aft heed lo ; but there are times when g>) >d proti-
detice fends a loader Aimmonsby th.' flrnj;;les of na:ti.]rer'
nnu prjclaims thofetriiths, which thov^gh they could not
operate-; by :he inip.Trtancc of tlvelr nature, yet inay force
their effeil by io.iziii^:^ the palfio'is ; l)ut here fraiky a-
jrain takes, place; from extreme tlmushtltfihefs, t'-.e paf-
fions b;ing rouzod, wc rt?ni oa to confufuni and <rrrar ;
like pilots jrowing-.carelcfs by a long calm,we llesr by the
jrafl (vf paffion, iiiftjad of the cnmpjfj of underllanding,
liccdief:; of the port of ttuth, and negligent of thofe du-
ties to v»'hicb. the paiTi )ns were only defigr.ed to urge c .
To ]ioint foith and fimiU irife thefe tni'.Ii'jhasbcen tlie
\yfQ\\ h.indlod fubjefl of tlie bel^ writeis ; but v^-hile na-
t.irc contiiijes to firtj.-non, and t!ie wifdoin of her voice
remains in any nieafure n.cgleded, ths tlieme cannot be.
truly exbaaft^d, nor the rer>etition of it neiJIefs.
For tliefe ends, this EiFiy is prefented to tire public
vi nv, if it prifs u:id^r the ju Igment of al^lc miiuls, they
will acfjuiefce in any truth, and at le:'.fl rr.ny Tron hence
take a hint for nobler thougIit5.7 befijc-;, r'lrre is a fat-
ijfaiftion wc all feel in giving vent to tlie tlirobbings of
the bofom,^nd in C()lIe<Sli)ig to fome ord^r, thofe t,ho-:ghts
wliich fioal through the mind on fuch .occafiflns*
L'it this then be the apology; but if ftifl ar.y one
fhnul.l cenfurc rm for treading in this unaccul^oinjd path
of v/;:ting, I mull nnit the difpute and rcreera mvfclf be-
/icalh the horroi-s of that never to be forgotten nitrht,Hhen
the flaniJ^ bro'ce loafs on our hcufe-^j and laid fo large a
part of our capital in ruins: I am fcnfible that p.aintcd
t-irrorr; ill-hecoTTi re i! {.n-zow, and are never to be ufej
Iv.it wlien tlie pafTnns r.re fluggifti ; and therefore 'p:i^-
fiMg over that ample fieM for defri-iptLon, which the late
unliappy cataftrcphe afToris, fiiall confine myfelf to thofe
l'>ber f:i(?ils which no body Hiould he igiornnt of, and
vvith wliich every body muft needs be affedtcd.
It ivas tnsn in
!!■ I)')d!es were fn
P, that
he firft vvatchis of the morn-ng,
tft fit.tered v.icii foii;ul;:ft flee
the ftre wa> firil difcoveret', and the town r.l.u-med with
?A\ oiit-cfv ; the inhahitants were fpeedily colledled, and
thoagh the fire was foind in the cell.lr of a brick, hottfi;^
yet it fojn eat through its prifon ; tlie wind I>lovviiig
frefli nrgsd on the fiamei, and witli fari^rlfing fury tl\ey
ravaged ill fpite of all oppofition or means to fiipprefs
them ; the cinifers and burninr; ruins were carried to the
leeivardmofl part of the town, by means of vvhich fome "
who thought tliemfelves in noda:<ger, were tlje fconeft
confumcd, and tlie inhabitants of them being tjnthcreil t«>
affiil at the heid of the fire,faitered the greatcfliolTcs at
thsir own hDufes ,• the like evil happened to niiaibcrs of
tradefmen, whofe fliops werefo quick fuel foi"th^ flames,
tiiat their tools and ftock. were all confumcd before they
could repair to rhem ; in fome pLices we heard tlic I
ihrieks of mothers and children rouzed from their beds
i)y the furrounding flimes, and no man to l^elp ; h-^rc
\vi might behold thaageif, thefick and the bcd-rid, whofc
cUd'ancc fyom the feat of th^ fire i^ave them iiopes of fe-
rurity, driven forth CO the inchmeneies of the wearl:)er,not
knovs'in; where to fttalter; there we miglit fee tiiofs
whofe !eart-tho::v:htS were placed on their fuoib.nce,
, and whofe greateft anxiety w^as to fave their lives: Thus
laged thi? fire, forcieig its way at the windows of brick
Iioufes, whofe fiatsd roofs were tlionglit a fujfi.-ient de-
fence, thui aJding burning to burning, till it left no
building nnconfjir.ed where the wind would let it pa f<:.
The natural horrors of the night r.odcd terror to this
cataftrophs; and at once rendeied it more difnial to the
eye, mure grevious to be born, and more difRcutt to be
fiipreffsd, till the odious nigh.t wore out, and with it
vanifhsd the height of our fc;ars ; hut not f^ ;he reality
of our f.irrow, tlie rifen fun aXTuaged the glosm of the
night, but gave vis a difmal |M-ofj.ccl of its havock ; a
fjieftacle (hocking to fenfibility ! Like the blafted trees
of fammer, or the fkeleton of fome deiightfui body j ycf
far lefs ungrateful to the figlu than forrowful to be rc-
f.efled on. Take a furvey tiien of thefe e:ttended ruins ,
here once llvej the loyal fubjecfl, the tender father,
t.he obliging friend, awd a go»d common\vealths-man ;
but their habitatioris, as with one fweep .of a fcy:!ie, are
alt cut off, and they thrown on the charity o'f their
friends : And is this all ? Alas thereaie ilill morehean-
}>iercing-fceries ; walk through the ruin?, and take a
n-.ore particular account ; here lived the laborious tradef-
tx\\n, on whos's daily induftry depended the fuftenance
of a iiumsrous family ; there lived one wliofe ciicum-
Itances were f^raitened with poverty, and diftrefled by
ficknefs : hcrQ livesl one jhR: enic-iging fiX>'Ti indigence,
,atld reaping the firfl fruits of honeft liidufvry ; tlierelivdd
thofc whofe comfci table circumltances afvwrded a refuge
for the needy, and an habitation for t!ie friendlefs ; htrc
lived th>fe whofe fubfiflence depended on their fltuation i
for bafi-.iefs ; There lived thofa whofe all vvas ip their
■houfes, and here thofe who are ftill unhappily aafwera-
%\ei for all they loll ; there lived, and there v.-as the fub-
fiftcnce of th« agfld and infirm, whofe frugal inuufcry in
voutli, had procured them the merited fupport of eafy
old age,whea the body unflrnng for labor can no longer fup-
port vtrelf— But all cut off, their ihduftry appears nomor^,
and the fatigues of youth ovortakes them,'A'hen a^^e (hould
1>e at reft ; the children muft bdg, and ti-.«e indafliiuus
niuft be dependent, the forehanded repeat liis toil anew,
and the debtor lay at mercv ; the friendlefs rnufl feck
for otUer p:itrons, and they who pitronizcd implore com-
panion ; the affluent a»ed mart forget ih?ir eafe, and
too foon lofe the hcnetit uf that fubilancs which they
could not carry hence.
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all. V/here (ball i!'.e mifer befiow his hoarftK^r t^e ex-
rorrioner his ill coaen ciin?, or how f-iall the worLlly
' m^n feciiic liis hn-piiicl"s when flames furronnd them ? j'
I The huge i>i!lars()'f I'mcak. which v/e beheld floating to
- the llcy were at onceemM .n a iral (»f our poireffions ;uul
<lecl;'.rr.tivev';f their lofb: but wh.at Uy thefe mishty ru-
in^ r they <h.ew ur. rt how uncei tain a tenure we liold our
'■ncnts, foi- next ur/Jer a fov-ereign providence we
.1 indc!-t;J even to tlie llahilicy of the wind that it did
noi vr.ry :ind roll tlie fiames f)ver ilie whole town. Witii
hoiv nuiclj eafe then can we fhifc the fcene ana fuppofe
ourkhes in the fituation of t'le prefeiU diftrcfled ; was
il onr ?o)-loef>, or vi&ilaiKC that protcdcc-i us ? And if
beiiiE dv-ftroycd, we fliould have felt foi row; hemg (o
narrouly favcd can we fail to me't witli fympaihy ? and
if ever the go'dsn rule was capable of a benevolent appli-
cation th: molt infer.fiblc mull now feci it, at;d the rwoii
hardijricd put it in praifuce ; and he who on this octa-
fi'in i}oct not biftovv bjantifnlly to the relief of tlie imme-
diate fiiff.?rers, muft eithei flatter himfelf with foir.e pe-
culur infail.ble protection, or being defnerate in
gidJinefs, bid a bold de/iance to all calamity. Nor
can nny one, thourrh nut immediately expofed to this
deflrn'^iorj, r;rrno' cliftant from tliis capital, furmif© that
cliey h ive no pyt in its general admonition ; 'tis nature's
voice, tliat well known herald of the Almis'ity wt^ich
tiio' it b^ now uttered liere, yet echoes every where ; 'tis
but one \\'a\ of that amazinj fcourge, brandifhed by tlie
hand cf vcngoaicr, againft a guilty world ; the fame fire
may parch up that land wtiicli it does not confumc, and
' eat tliq.iakes make [is dtfolation vVorfc than t!)e j^refer.t;
I if theiefore we are common tenar^ts of a fl^ats variegateji
I with joy and forro\\', merhiaks '^is natural v.e fhould in
i fonr.':- meafurc lliare tlie good of it which we all want,
; feeii^.g we are equally expofed to the evils of it, under
I which we all dcfue to be i tUeycd.
I O, rr.y foul, whnt a tliought arifes ! can it v/ith truth be
' faid, th^t any in lii'^n^" l^i^TC. though their d;;;I} fiipport
v/ere robbery, fhould lark for thr canfufionof a public calam-
ity, and plunder live property of the difti el'ed.; or that any
after cool df liberation, upon wh itioevcr pretence, (bould ci-
tSer pnbliclciy or priv:vt ly difcountJnnnce that relief to the
' diftrelTed vKich we rr.r; all atfo-ne time want, and which hu.
, inanity fugjcft*; ? forbid it hccV,",-n ! ,. ^
Ala5, we fojourn in a vile of tears, forrow on every fid?
'furrounds us, and tails fsr thofe duties wh.ich v/e ftcl im-
'prcned in out natures, daties fo endeliably crp,raven, th 't a
lu-at!ien fail. " In nothing do we more imrr.iiate the ir'mor-
' tal Gods, than in doing adls of Irir'dnefs," ths voice of rcve-
I lation is ftill mere explicit, and fo plain, that ha who nm?
rR*7 read. PofTcfiions take to themfelvcs wines; to what
f purpolc is it then, that \vc dillrefs, perplex and corrupt our
minds in trcttiag v.'cahh, the pofllHion of which is fo preca-
\ riotis ? With what f<ice can w; fwell with the conceit of riches
j and aflame air? of irftportante, difdain, opprefs, ind tyran-
' nite over iholc bcp.esvh us (perhips only) in fortune, when a
few hours may fet us all on a level ? Hew much does it become
' us while in effluence to demean outl'elve* with li'f.b honef^y,
humanity and beneficence, as that if calnmily Ibould over-
', take u:, x'.'c may ftand ccn'cfTcdly the worthy objedts of nred-
I I'-il relief? Mclhinks this cncdlrophc is big with inftrucftion,
(couid any me f^e'.he dire havock produced from fo fmall a
r( fire, and not feel the obligatioR? v/e owe to the community in
our of.rnromy of this neceirary but devouring ele.Tj-nt, and of
erefy thing that is cpt fncl for the farhC ? for as our pof-
"efTiop.s are not fccuied by ourovvr finzle carelulneliB, the duty
hcrcforc becomes general ; and may I be permitted to take a
hint from thi$ dreadful defolation, and point it forth as an
emblem of that deftrudion, v/hich the pafli'-.ns -.vhcs lr.i Icofc
odiicc in huo'an min»ls 5 when the firft cxccfs is r\ot (up-
preffed, like the htt ^ re they ravage, incrc ifc by running, and
may deltroy every t!^ jg valudbie in the mind ; .nay entirely
■p us of that real t^ al'urc which only can fVand us in Itead
when a greater conflagration diall fciie this earth, when wc
fhall be as little ansi-) 1-; to fave our lives, i.s many lately
were to favc their worldly pcJTefT'ons.
Dr. Mayhew's
■■T*^.t
DISCOURSE
ON THE
SDcatI) of K. George II.
And Acceffion of K. George III.
A
DISCOURSE
Occafioiied by the Death of
King George IL
AND THE
Happy Acceffion of His Majefty
King GEORGE III.
TO THE
Imperial Throne of
G R E A T-B R I T A I Ni
Delivered Jan. 4th I'jbi.
AND
PuWillied at the Defire of the Weft Church and
Congregation in Bojlou, Nezu-England,
By Jonathan Mayhew, D. D.
Paflor of the faid Church.
m^^^^mmsim^m
BOSTON: N E W - E N G L A N D.
Printed and Sold by Edes & Gill in ^esn-Sir$stf
em^m^mi^m^^mm
To the Chriftian, the Truly-Pro-
teftant, and very Loyal Socie-
ty, who attend the public
Worfhip in the Westerly Part of
Bofton,
This Discourse, published at
their Delirc fignified by their Commit-
tee^ is now gratefully inscribed, with
the fincereft Wiflies for their tempo-
ral and fpirltual Welfare,and with due
Acknowledgments of the many Ob-
ligations by them laid vipon
The Author.
God ruleth in the Kingdom
of Men,
DANIEL IV. ]8.
T/je mofl High ruleth
Kingdoin of Men-^
t?i
the
HE prefcnt iinufLial and gloomy appearance
of the place ^ in which I now (land, may
fecm the natural prefage of a difcoiirfe re-
plete with gloomy ideas, with lamentation
and mourning. But yet m.ethinks this is a reafon
adapted to awaken various, and even contrary pafTions
in onr breads; a Tea fon wherein we almofl: unavoida-
bly mingle fome of the tears o'i joy with thofe of
forrow ; and wherein wholly to indulge, or wholly to
reprefs either of them, would hardly be innocent ;
at leaft: not very congruous. On one b.and we juftly
mourn the death of an excellent king, uhom every
good Britifli fubje<S}: was habituated to confider rather
under the amiable and endearing character of afither,
than the more awful one of a fovereign. And where is
the heart fo hard, fo unfeeling, fo devoid of all
fentiment, as to remain untouched, unaffecled, at the
death of fuch a king, the common fatlfbr of his peo-
ple ? What bofom does not heave ? What eye is not
ready to overflov/, on fo melancholy aji occadon '^^
BuTi
* la aHuHgn to the palpit hurg ^Iib ropurnin^ on this ocpijon,.
8 God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men^
But, on the other hatid, have we not caufe for
gratitude, that heaven fpared him to us fo long ?
and for joy* that his royal grandfbn and fucceflbr is
peaceably afcended the throne ? And this at fuch a
mature age, and adorned with fo many royal quali-
ties, as give us the reafonable profpedl of fitting
under his ihadow with great delight ; and, in a Word,
of enjoying under his reign the continuance 6f all
thofe numerous blelFrngs, which we fo long enjoyed
under the aufpicious reign of his late majefty. The
fame object has often both a bright and a dark fide ;
and, by being turned round, gives relief, or even
pleafure, to the pained eye of the fpe£lator. As our
felicity is never pure and unallayed in this evil
world ; (b neither is our forrow ever, or hardly ever,
unmixed ; but ufually attended with fome circum-
^ances, which, being duly confidcred, may adminifter
comfort to us. This is our pefent cafe : That fb-
vereign hand which gave the wound to our hearts by
the death of his late majefty, has almoft healed it the
lame hour, and turned our mourning into joy ; or
if not into joy, has at leaft miniflred the beft con-
solation that the nature of the cafe would admit of.
For the lofs of a good king cannot be any way fb
effectually made up, or remedied, as by another, wor-
thy to fucceed him, reigning in his ftead -y efpecially
one de (bended, from him, and in whom he may be
coniidered as, in fome fort, ftill living and reigning.
Such is the confolation that gracious heaven afford-s
TO us, and to three kingdoms, at this feafon of out
common mourning. And both rea (bn and religion
as much require that we gracefully receive the con-
folation ofFer(?d, as that we humbly lay to heart
that event of pi'ovidence, by which we camc to
need ic.
It
God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men. g
It becomes us as men, and efpecially as chrifti-
ans, on this occafion to look up to the fovereign
ruler of the univerfe, who " rcmoveth kings and
fetteth up kings", as feemeth good in his fight. Him
we are to condder as the author of thofe revoltiiions,
and other great changes, which take place from age
to age in the kingdoms of this world ; and fhould
make a religious improvement of the prefent difpen-
fations of his providence towards us. It is with a
view at afTifting you in fo important a duty, that I
have chofen the words jufl: now read, for the fnbjeft
of my difcourfe at this time — '* The niofl: High
ruleth in the kingdom of men." The words occur
three feveral times in this fourth chapter of Daniel ;
which confifts of a manifedo, or folemn declaration,
which Nebuchadnezzar the great king of Babylon
publifh^d *' to all people, nations and languages";
and which the prophet, for the honor of God's name,
thought proper, it feems, to preferve intire with
his own writings, to be tranfmitted to future gene-
rations. Nebuchadnezzar is fpoken of in fcripture
as one of the greateft monarchs that ever lived in
the world. *' Thou, O king", faid Daniel to him,
*^ art a king of kings ; for the God of heaven hath
given thee a kingdom, pov/er, and ftrength and glo^y.
And wherefoever the children of men dwell, the
beads of the field, and the fowls of heaven hath
he delivered into thy hand f". Prophane hiftory
fpeaks of him conformably to this account ||. He
B was
f Chap. n. ver. 37, 98.
jj He is faid to have held in fabjeflion Syria, Phcnicla, Arabia
and Egypt. " Strabo Hkewife afTerts that this king among
the Chaldeans was more celebrated than Hetcu!es, and
that he proceeded as far as the pillars of Hercules [near
the freights of GiHralter] and led his army out of Spain
into Thrace and Pontus." Vid. Dr. Newton's Xlilth
D:j£rtation in Pr&phcsy,
10 God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men. |
Was as proud and impious as he was great. And God
feems to have rai fed him np as he did Pharaoh, that
he might '* fhew his power in him, and that his name
might be declared throughout all the earth". It
feems that he was for a time much alarmed, and
even convinced, by the miraculous deliverance of the
three pious Jews from the fiery furnace^ whom he
had ordered to be caft into it for not woriliipping
the golden image which he had fct up ; and he made
a decree, that no one fhould fpeak againft the God
whom thefe men worlhipped.^ But his heart, Jike
Pharaoh's, rcfumed its former bardnefs ; and was [o
lifted up with pride, that God refolved to humble
him in a very fignal manner. And the main defign
of his manifedo, contained in this IVth Chapter of
Daniel, is to declare to all the world the wonderful
means by which God did this ; by which he con-
vinced him of his fupremc dominion, his power and
providence,and the wifdora and juflice of all his deal-
ings with the children of men. So that this may be
called the proclamation whereby that mighty, and
once impious monarch, recognized God's univerfal
dominion, as the King of kings and Lord of lords,
'^ 1 thought it good'V' %s he, *' to fhew the figns
and vt'onders that the liigh God hath wrought towards
me. For how great are his figns .^ and how mighty
are his wonders ? His kingdom is an everlafting king-
dom", &G. He then proceeds particularly to relate
what had happened to him ; the aftonifhing figns by
which God humbled his proud heart, and made him
confefs, that he indeed '• rwleth in the kingdom of
men^ and giveth it to whomfoever he will." What
thefe figns and wonders were, I nov^ forbear particu-
larly to mention, lefl my difcourfe fliould be drawn
out to too great a length. But in general^ he had
* Dan. C. III. V. 29.
God ruhth in the Kingdom of Men. 1 1
a remarkable dream, or vifion, wherein, under the
fimilitude of cutting down a mighty tree, was^ accords
Ing to the prophet's interpretation, prefigured his
ocvn fall from his greatnefs, and his being driven
from men. And when the king fald, " Is not this
great Babylon that I have built for the houfe of
the kingdom, by the might of my power, and for
the honor of my majefty ? While the word was in
the kings mouth, there fell a voice from heaven,
faying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is fpoken.
The kingdom is departed from thee," ^c. And
" the fame hour was the thing fulfilled upon Ne-
buchadnezzar.*' Of which event we find the prophet
afterwards giving the following account to his foil
Beliliaz.zar " All people, nations and languages
trembled and feared before him ; whom he would
he flew, 3nd whom he would he kept alive, and whom
he would he fet up, and whom he would he put down.
But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind har-
dened in pride, he was depofed from his kingly
throne, and they took his glory from him : And he
was driven from the fons of men — till he knew that
the moft high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and
that he appointeth over it whomfoever he will -[-."
Thus wonderfully was this great king brought
down, till at the end of the days appointed, he lift
up his eyes to heaven, and his underflanding re-
turned unto him. And he concludes his proclamation
in the flrong and emphatical terms following, which
difcover an heart very deeply imprefl with what had
befallen him for his former pride^tyranny and impiety
— '' Now I Nebuchadnezzar", fays he, " praife, and
extol, and honor the king of heaven, all whofo works
are truth, and liis ways judgment ; and thole that
walk in pride he is able to abafe". By"!:
I Chap. V. ver. 19, 20, 2;.
1 2 God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men.
But to return ; The words of the text may be
cohfidered as an intire, independent rentence,tho' they
indeed make but a part of one, as they (land in the
fever al places where they occur in this chapter. In
this light it is propofed to conHder them ; and they
will, I fuppofe, be a proper introduction to fome
reflexions on the prefent occafion, as they aflert God's
fupreme dominion in and over the kingdoms of men.
For the illuftration of this fubje^l, it is to be ob^-
fervcd firft in general,
I. That all nations, all kingdoms, are in the hand
of God, who has an original right, and abfolute pow-
er over them. He hath made of one blood all na^
tions for to dwell upon the face of the earth ; and
has the intire difpofal of theiia. The abfolute fove^
reignty of God over all nations, is reprefented in very
llrong and fublime language by Nebuchadnezzar in
this chapter, after his reafon returned to him. " His
kingdom"^faith he, " is from generation to generation :
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as
nothing ; and he doeth according to his will in the ar-
my of heaven,and among the inhabitants of the earth :
and none can ftay his hand, or fay unto him, What
doefl thou ?" The prophet Ifaiah expredeth himfelf
upon this fubje^l in language not lefs emphatical.
" Behold, the nations are as a drop of the bucket ',
faith he, " and are counted as the (luall duft of the
balance : behold, he taketh up the iilesas a very little
thing — all nations before him are as nothing, and
they are counted to him as lefs than nothing and va^
nity'*. And a little after in the fame chapter — " It
is he that fiiteth upon the circle of the earth, and
the inhabitants thereof are as grafshoppers ; that
flretcherh out the heavens as a curtain, and fpread-
eth
God rtileth in th^ Kingdom of Men. 1 3
€th them out as a tent to dwell in ; that bringeth the
princes to nothing : He maketh the judges of the
earth as vanity". [Chap. XL.]
Now, God's ruling in the kingdom of men, ex-
prefleth in general that fupreme power, that uncon-
trouiable dominion, which he exercifeth over all na-
tions from one generation to another : Not only his
right and power, but his aflual government over them.
For his ruling in the kingdom of men, implies his
continual agency and providence therein, and his
reigning over them as a fovcreign Lord ; not merely
his power and authority to do fo. And accordingly,
whatever befals dates and kingdoms ; their rife, en-
largement and prolperity, iheir fall, their declenfion,
and the various calamities that happen to them, are in
fcripture attributed to God's over-ruling providence,
as the accomplilliment of his fovereign pleafure con-
cerning them. And that thefe things are juftly af-
cribed to him, is evident from many confiderations ;
particularly from his having enabled his prophets to
roretel, many ages before-hand, the changes and re-
volutions which fhould take place among the nations
of the earth : Which predi(Sl:ions have been punctu-
ally verified by the event.
Thus the ancient prophecies refpeCling the Jews,
the Egyptians, the Babylonians, the Ninevites, the
Tyrians, and many other nations, have long fince had
a mod exaft and furprillng accomplilhment ; as any
one, acquainted with the prophecies, and with what
has fince actually befallen thofe nations, mu(t ac-
knowledge j. And in this book of Daniel's prophe-
cies,
\ Many of thefe predidions, together with their refpeifli'-e ac-
complidiments, are Tct in a clear and flronj light in the Rev.
and very learned Dr. Newton 'sDiffertations on prophecy, Vol.1.
14 God rukth In the Kingdom of Men.
des^ was foretold, v/ith an afionifliing precifion, tbo'
IB figurative language, what iliould come to pafs in the
four great fuccefnve monarchies, or empires of the
worlsi ; the Aifyrian or Babylonian, the McJo-Perfian,
tbe Macedonian and the Roman ; in, or during, the
latter of which, the God of heaven v^'as to fct up a
kingdom of a peculiar kind, which fliould never have
sn< end, or be left to other people : '* And the king-
ionir and the dominion, and the greatnefs of the
kingdom under rhe vihole heaven, fhall [at length]
be given to the people of the faints of the moit
High, whofe kingdom is an cverlafling kingdom ;
snd all dominions iliall ferve and obey him""^. Nor
h the prefent ftate of the Jews, or indeed the ge-
i?eral flate of the chriflian world at this day, any
thing lefs than a demonllration of the truth of pro-
phecy : which is, at the fame time, a kind of vifible
S^emondration of the truth and reality of God's rul-
ing in the kingdom of men. For, certainly none but
lie, who hath the fates and fortunes of all nations ia
Ms own hand, and the mod abfolute difpofal of them,
could poffibly enable men fo particularly and exa(^ly
to foretel what iliould bcfal them in remote ages,
ss the prophets have adlually done. And the accom-
plifliment of (b many prophecies already, as it is an
undeniable proof that the world is governed by di-
V\nt providence, fo it gives us an alTurance, that thofe
predictions in thefe facrcd books, which dill remain
unfulfilled, fliall alfb have their accornplifhmcnt at
the appointed time ; when " the mydery of God
IFiall be finilhed, as he hath declared to his fervants
ihe prophets". But,
11. God's ruling in the kingdom of men, mny
. e^'p'refs moce particularly and directly that authority
and fovercign power, which he exercifeth from age
^a
* Chap. Vil, vcr. 27.
God ruleth 171 the Ktngdvm of Men. i|
to nge over the kings and potentates of the earth ;
and which truly denominate hirn the King of icings
and Lord of lords. That being may well be laid
to rule in the kingdom of men, on whom all earthly
kings are entirely dependent ; who raifeth one to a
throne,andcafteth down another; who gives to all kings
their authority, and limits them in the exercife thcre^
of ; who gives them whatever qualifications they hav«
for ruling ; who alio gives to their lives and reigns,
either a morter or longer term, as he pleafeth ; w4>o
makes their reign either a bleiling to the kingdoms
which they govern, or the contrary ; and who will
finally judge even them in righteoufnefs. With the
greaieit truth and propriety may he be faid to rule and
govern in the kingdom of men, who cxercifeth fucli
a dominion over the monarchs of the world. And to
enlarge a little here cannot, I fuppofe, be thougl^
improper on the prefent occafion.
I. God ruleth in the kingdom of men, as all
.earthly kings derive their power and authority ori-
ginally from him ; or as they reign by his permiflloa
and providence, and as his miniftcrs. This is in
etfe<5l afferted in the words immediately following the
text — '' and giveth it" [i.e. the kingdom] ^' to
whomfoever he will", in the exercife of that fov€-
reign dominion which he hath over all. In confor-
mity whereto, the prophet addrcileth himfclf thus to
Bellhazzar, the fon and fuccclTor of Nebuclmdnezzar-
*' O thou king, the moft high God ga\'e Nebuch-
adnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majc(iy,and gloty,
and honor |.'* And the apoUle Paul nilerts in a more
general way, and without any exception, tliat *' there
is no power but of God"; that *' the powers tliat be
are ordained of God"; and that kings, and indeed
other inferior rulers, are ** God's minlflers", ap-
pointed
t Chap. V. ?er. i8.
1 6. God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men*
pointed to govern the world under him, the Lord of
all ; and to carry on the defigns of his providence
therein. So that human government, being duly ad-
miniftred, is in efre6l the government of God. For
which reafon we are admonifhed to be fubjeft *' to
every ordinance of man for the Lord's fake, whether
it be to the king as fupreme, or unto governors as
unto them that are fent by him for the punifliment of
evil-doers, and for the praife of them that do well "^Z*
God does not indeed, by any immediate acl of his
own, place a crown upon the head, and put a fcep-
ter in the hand of him, whom he has ordained to
reign, and feat him upon a royal throne. He leaves
nations (ordinarily, I mean) to the free exercife of
their liberty and difcretion, under the general law of
reafon, to chufe their own forms of government, and
to model them as bed fuits them refpedlively. Some
nations neither have, nor are required to have, any
kings at all. Some crowns are, properly fpeaking,
eledlive, by the fundamental laws of the kingdom.
In other kingdoms the crown is hereditary, either with
certain limitations and exceptions, or without any,
according to the various conftiiutions of different king-
doms ; which conftitutions themfelves are not,however,
abfolutely immutable. In all which refpe^ls it may
truly be faid, that nations are left to the exercife of
their natural difcretion and liberty. But ftill religion,
and even reafon, teaches us to acknowledge the hand
and providence of God in the exaltation of any par-
ticular perfon to a throne. In ele(51ive kingdoms the
thoughts and counfels of the ele(ftors are, tho' imper-
ceptibly, fo over-ruled, that the choice falls at laft
upon him, whom God had ordained to reign ; and
thus, without knowing his purpofe, they fulfil his
fovereign
* I Pet. II. 13, 14.
God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men, 1 7
fovereign pleafure. And where the crown is here-
ditary according to the conftitiuion, God in his pro-
vidence often interrupts and defeats the fuccelfjon,
either by the death of the prefiimptive heir, or by
other means ; and fometimes the crown devolves
at lad to one, fo remote from it by blood, that ho
was very unlikely ever to wear it, according to hu-
man rules of judging ; or it is perhaps transferred to
another race. Thefe things- are common, and well
known ; by which God (liews his own fovereignty
in the kingdom of men, and makes it manifeft that
he *' gives it to whomfoever he wiir\
2. God ruleth in the kingdom of men, as all
earthly kings derive from him whatever qualifications
and abilities they have for reigning, as well as their
authority. How great ? how important, is the differ^
ence between a wife and good, and a weak and bad
king I The welfare of nations, under God, depends
very much upon the talents and character of the
kings, whom he exalteth to reign over them. Nor
is it lefs evident that he beftows the various gifts and
talents by which kings are diftinguifhed from one
another, than it is that they reign by his permiffion,
and providential ordination. Wifdom, magnanimity,
and other royal qualities, are the gift of God ; of
which none are poiTclled in any greater degree, than
he faw fit to beflow them, in order to accomplifli his
own wife and holy purpofes. And from fome thefe
qualities are withheld, with the fame general defign.
For, according to the holy fcriptures, important events
are brought about in nations, and in the Hate of the
world, as well by the folly and infatuation of fome
kings, as by the wifdom of others ; all in conformity
to the will and purpofes of heaven. And this is one
way, in which God manifefls his own fovereignty in
the kingdom of men, C 3. God
i8 GcD ruleth in the Kingdom of Men.
3. God nileth in the kingdom of men, by fud-
-tending the adminiftration of kings, and by making
them great public blefTings, or the contrary, according
to his own pleafure. Moft commonly indeed,
wile and good kings reign fuccefsfully, whik weak
and wicked ones prove rather a curfe than a bleffing.
This is not, however, univerfally the cafe. It is ob-
vious that the fiiccefs or profperity of an ad minifi ra-
tion, docs not folely depend upon, nor is always in
cxa6l proportion to, the wifdom, juftice, fortitude, and
other princely virtues of him that fits upon the throne.
The views and endeavours of the befl: kings are fome-
times fruRrated ; while thofe of far inferior ones are
crowned with fucccfs, both in peace and war. It is
<jod that giveth falvation unto kings, and thereby to
kingdoms : He it is, that bringcth them down. And
both the(e he does,in fuch v/ays, and by fuch means,
as plainly evince his fovereignty in the kingdom of
men ; and fhew to kings and kingdoms at once, their
abfolute dependence upon him for profperity. How
many great and common calamities are there, whicli
befal nations from time to time, that the vvifeft and
imoft powerful monarchs can neither prevent nor re-
move ? And how many public blefTings are there,
which kings have little, or perhaps no hand at all, in
procuring I Riches, and honor, and power, and all
rjational blefFings, mufl be acknowledged to come ori-
ginally from God, fbmetimes by the inflrumentality
ofkings,and fometimics without it ; and in his '^ hand
it is to make great, and to give llrength unto all".
4. God ruleth in the kingdom of men, as he gives
to the reign of earthly kings either a fliorcer or longer
term, as feemeih good in his fight. Mighty monarchs
are fometimes " depofed from their kingly thrones"
for their fins, as Nebuchadnezzar was*. When his
mind
God ruhth ifi the Kingdom of Men. r g
mind was hardened in pride, it was faid unto him,
'' The kingdom is departed from thee"; and inftantly,
his glory was taken away, and he was *' drivea
from men*'. Belfliazzar his fon did not profit by his
example ; and therefore met with a (lill more fatal
overthrow. No fooner had the hand upon the wall
written his doom, and Daniel interpreted it, — '' God
hath numbered thy kingdom, and finifhed it", &c,
than he was flain ; " and Darius the Median took
the kingdom". How many other proud, arbitrary
and tyrannical princes, who have thought thcmfelves
above all controul, have fuddenly been brought down
to the dull: ? either expelled their kingdoms, or come
to an untimely end, and left their thrones to others ?
Nor is the fovcreignty of Qo\ in the kingdom of men,
lefs manifeded in depriving earthly kings of their
power and dominion, than in conferring ihem at firfh
In the language of the royal pfalmift, " Promotion
Cometh neither from the ea(l, nor from the welh nor
from the fouth. But God is the judge : he putteth
down one, and fetteth up another |."
Besides : It is appointed unto all men, and no lefi
to kings, even great and good kings, than others, once
to die ; and to give an account of themfelves to God.
Their greatnefs exempts them neither from the com-
mon mortality, nor from the righteous judgment of
God, in v^.hofe band their breath is. From fome
the great arbiter of life and death, foon taketh away
their breath, even in early youth ; fo that they hardly
know what it is to wear a crown, before they are
commanded lo refign it ; and called to appear before
the high tribunal of hira that '' regardeth not the
per Tons of princes". Other kings :;re taken away
in the midft of their years ; and all their devices, pro-
C 2 je£lions^
f Pfalm LXXV. 6, 7.
2 0 God ruleth in the Kingdom oj M^n.
j.cflions and dcfigns, whether good or bad, are at once
brought to liCiriUig ; fometimes to the joy, and fome-
times to the forrow of their fubjects \ and not only of
their own flibje'cls, but of other nations. To other
kings God is pleafcd to grant length of days, and a
reign of many years ; fo that they are fatisfied with
life, ';nd fee many happy effeds c/ their reign, be-
fore their days are numbered and finilhed . Now, God
nsanifelleth his fovereignty over the kings and poten-
tates of the earth, by cutting fnort, or protracting their
life and reign, in this manner: i\nd hereby, in part,
it appears, that he indeed ruleth in the kingdom of
men.
It may, not improperly, be added here, that a
great deal depends upon the time, and particular cir-
cumfiances, wherein kings iire taken out of this world.
There are, with refpe^l to their fubjefts at Icail, I
might fiy with refpecl to them.felves alfo, both fa-
vourable and unfavourable conjmifiures for them to
die in. As the cafe may be circumllanced, the death
of a king, tho' of no very eminent qualities and ver-
tues, may be of fatal confequence to a kingdom : As,
for examplcj when the fuccefllon is left doubtful,
different perfons laying claim to it, and each of them
fupported by powerful factions. In this cafe, how
often have nations been thrown into confufion, and
involved in all the calamities of a civil war : Or,
tho' the fucccfTion is uncontroverted, yet if the heir
be not arrived at cin age proper for governing a king-
dom, the death of a king in thefe circumflances is a
great calamity : For " Wo to thee, O Land," fays
Solomon, '* when thy kina^ is a cliild." God fome-
V.\w:'5> ch'il; ;;.:.:h. r.ations by renioving their kings at
iisch Lii-jfivourfible conv - '-e^ ^i- thcfe, and others
tlijr nJa.ht eafilv ■ . d tho' the death
-" ■ of
God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men. 21
of good kings will always be (inccrely lamented by
good and dutiful fubje£ls ; yet it mult be owned that,
in certain circumflances, the death evcnot fiich kings
can hardly be looked upon as a frown of divine pro-
vidence, in any other fenfe than that, in which the
common mortality of mankind is fo. As, for exam-
ple, if they die when they are far advanced in years;
when they are almolt pait bearing the weight of go-
vernment; when their kingdoms are in flourifliing
circumflances; when the fuccefion is undifputed; or
there are no parties or factions powerful enough to
create public troubles and commotions ; when the fuc-
cedor is of mature age for wielding a fceptre, and is
endowed with fuch princely virtues, as naturally in-
fpire the hopes of great happinefs under his reign :
When all thefe circumliances take place, they great-
ly alleviate that forrow wdiich all good fubjecls mud
in fome degree feel, on the death of a good king.
And God's foyereignty in the kingdoms of men plain-
ly appears by the particular time and conjunfture,
wherein he removeth kings out of this world : For,
that thefe circumllances, whether favourable or other-
wife, together with the duration of each monarch's
life, and the length of his reign, are all fixed, all de-
termined by the mod High, no man who believes a
providence, can confidently doubt.
Upon the whole (for I mud not enlaj-ge) : God
does not only iliew himfelf fovereicrn in the kin<:^doin
en
of men, by the perfons whom he exalteth to earthly
ti^*;ones, by the various qualifications which he be-
ftows upon them, by profpering or not profpering
their reign, by fornetimes caiting them down from
their thrones before their lives are come to a period,
and by the particular time and circiim dances wherein
they are refpeclively taken out of this woi Id by death :
He
2 2 God ruleih in the Kingdom of Men^
He docs not hereby only Ihew his fovereign pow-
€f in ai)d over the kingdom of men, but he aifo
manifeus hereby his favor and gcodnefs towards na-
tions, or his righteous difpleafurc. He execureth
loving-kindnefs, judgment and righteoufnefs in the
earth, by the difpenlations of his providence towards
kings and kingdoms. The welfare of nations im-.
mediately depends, in a great meafure,^upon the kings
whom God piaceth over them. It is faid of Ifi-ael,
with reference to Saul, that God ^' gave them a king
ill his anger.'* After a while, he brought about a
Ti^^oiution in that kingdom, and gave them David in
Ms kindnefo, a man after his own heart, vv'ho was a
great blelTing to the nation. And v.'hen David died
in a good oki age, after a profperous reign, and when
he had in a manner fubdued ail their enemies, his fon
Solomon fuccecdcd liim in the throne, whom the
s^ueen of Sheba aJdreilcd in the equally pious and
courtly terms following : ^* BleiTed be the Lord thy
*' God v.hich delighted in thee to fet thee upon hi<;
**' throne, to be king for the Lord thy God. Becaufe
** thy God loved Ifrael, to edablifh them foraver,
** theref.TC m-ide he thee king over thein to do
** judgment and jufiice."
It being evident then, from what has been faid, that
God ruleih in the kingdom of men;giving it to whom-
£}€yer he will ; and ah'o, that his favor and righteous
'Jifpleailire arci- manif.dcd towards diflerent nations, or
towards the fame nations at dillerent timc.^, by the
'*• manner of the kings ihat reign over them", and by
the time and circumirances of their removal out of
this v/orld : Theie things being evident. I fay, what
iliil remains, is, that we apply this fubjefl to our-
fclves, and to the prefent occarion, by n>^iking fomc
rellexions on the reign and death of his late majeiiy,
and
God ruleth in the Kingdom cf Men. 23
and on the acceflion of George III. to the Imperial
throne of Great- Britain.
And it will not, as is humbly conceived, be \m^
proper here, in the firft place, to take a curfbry view
of the providcntkl means, by which the BritiHi crowa
devolved tO'the illLtflrious honfe of Hanover,aiid con^
fequently to his late, and his prefent majelly. For
fuch a retrofpc^l on the events of divine providence,
at the fame time that it will be a farther iliuitration of
God*s ruling in the kingdom of men, and giving k
to whomfoever he will, may alfo {(zxv^ to efhblifh us
in the principles of true Britifnjiberty, and of J c^-
alty to his prefent majefly, as founded in, end refuk-
iiag from, thofe principles. Nor will yon, 1 sm per-
fuaded, think I go beyond my proper fphere, if, upo^i
fuch an occafion, I inculcate ioyalcy, and obedience
to the odablillied government ; and this u|)on the
very principles on which that government is founded,
in oppofition to thofe of defpotifm and tyranny.
Let me remind you then, th?.t after the death f
of queen Elizabeth, (the glory of u hofe reign, other-
wife truly great, was obicur'd and tarniflud by re-
jigious perfecution) it pleafed God, doubtlefs for rl^
jfins of the narii^n, to raife four princes fuccefTivdv
to the throne, whofe reigns were all inglorious, and
*fome of them infamous to the laft degree ; princes
of great pride and vanity, of arbitrary notions and
praci-iccs, of litrls wifdom, policy or difcretion, and
Ifili lefs truth, (incerity and honor ; princes who were
always the dupes of our ancient, enter priiing and
dangerous enemies, of jefuits, popiili minillers or po-
pifn Vv'ives ; princes whofe reigns difgraced the nation
abroad, fnd were lore vKications of divine provider c^
upon it. 1k£
f In tl:e yqar 1603.
24 God ruleth in the Kingdo?n of MeH^
The laft of thefe four kings whom the moft
High gave us in his anger, James II, ^ was an open,
profefTcd and bigotted j'oman-catholic ; who (luck at
no nieafures in order to introduce the religion of
Rome, to defpoil the Britifh nations of their ancient
liberties, and to entail upon them the two-fold curfe
of popery and flavery ; which have indeed a
clofe connexion one with the other. The king
daily made prodigious flridcs towards a defpotic
power ; to eflablifh which on the ruins of the
Britifh conftitution, was his manifeft aim. And
he doubtlefs promifed himfelf fuccefs in this execra-
ble defign, by refie^ling on that feries of events in and
after the reign of Ijis father, from which he ought to
have drawn other conckifions. That unhappy prince,
king Charles I. by favouring the papids contrary to
Jaw, and many flagrant violations of the conflicution,
had involved the nation in a civil war; a war entered
into on one fide, in defence of public liberty, on the
otlier, in the fupportof tyranny ; and which did not
end but with the ruin, both of the conflitution, and
of the infatuated prince who had been the blameable
caufe of it. King James fcem'd to take it for granted,
that the nation would never again, at lead not [o foon,
have recourfe to arms, or refiilance, in defence of its
rights and liberties ; but rather fubmit to the moll
cruel tyranny,than attempt to rid itfelf of it by thofe
means which, however neceflary, had been attended
with fuch difmal confequences : Efpeciallyasthe doc-
trine of pa (live obedience and non-reiillance had, ever
fince tlie refloration, | been the eflablifhed do6lrine,
which no one could contradi6i: with impunity. It
had, however, been a more julf, as well as more fafe
inference, that the brave people who had lately made
fuch
* He facceeded his brother Charles II. in 1684.
\ la i66q.
God ruleth in the Kmgdom of Men. 2 5
fucb efforts in defence of their lIberties,would not nov/
tamely fubmit to arbitrary fway; but again have re-
courfe to fbme extraordinary means of felf-defence,
if driven to extremities, whacever do(5i:rincs they might
profefs to believe. But — Qjie?n1}eiis viilt perdere,
friiis deme?7tat — Thofe vi'hom God dcfigns to de-
llroy, he firfl infatLiatcs; fo that they reiolutcly per-
lift in fuch meafures, as mnft needs terminate in their
ruin. The king was deaf to all the remonilrances of
reafoii and jufiice, of policy and intereft ; and would
fuffer no check in his mad career to dc(iru<fi:ioii. Nor
was there, perhaps, ever another king, to whom the
words of the prophet to BelHiazzar, were more appli-
cable than to this prince, whom neither the fate of
his unhappy fathcr,nor any thing el fe, could keep from
deftroying himfelf — " O thou king, the moft high
" God gaveNebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom —
*' But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind
" hardened in pride, he was depofed from his kingly
" throne, and they took his glory from him. And
"^ he was driven from the fons of men, and his heart
*' was made like the beads, and his dwelling was with
" the wild alTes And thou his^ rbn,0 Belfliazzar,
'' haft not humbled thine hcart,THOUCH thouknfav*
"' EST ALL THIS ! But haft lifted up thy felf/'"^&c.
In this critical conjun£lure, it pleafed him who ru-
leth in the kingdom of men, not only to open the eyes
of all the friends to public liberty and the proreP
tant religion, to fee the common danger which threat-
ne^d them, but aifo to unite their hearts and counfels
in an extraordinary manner to guard againft ir. Party-
diftin<fl:ions, which had hitherto run very high, were
i'.ow laid afide. The illuftrious prince of Orange, the
king's fon-in-Iaw, who v/as known to be at once a lo-
D ver
* Dan. V. 18.
26 God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men.
ver of liberty, a true proteflantand an bero,was. fecretly
applied to for his advice and afTiftance, which he gene-
rou fly refolved to afford, to the utmoR of his ability.
He accordingly, after mature deliberation,and by con-
cert with the leading and better part of the lords and
commons of England, arrived there with a very con-
fiderable armamentf; but relying chiefly on the known
good-will and affe^lion of the people in general, whom
a fenfe of their common danger had united. It was
not long after his arrival, that king James, confcious
he had juftly forfeited, and intirely lofl, the affecli-
ons of all his fubje61:s,cxcept the romancatholic party ;
feeing himfelf forfaken, and people of all ranks flock-
ing totheftandard of the prince; calling to remem-
brance, doubtlcfs, the tragedy of the 30th o^ Janu-
ary 1648; and not being ambitious, it ieems, to il:are
with his father the glory of martyrdom;^ thought pro-
per to provide for his fafety by a precipitate flight into
France : Which court had before gracioufly oflerM
him her afllflance in his defign to enilave the Britifh
nations, f Then it was, that the glorious revolution
took place : For the throne being declared vacant by
two grand conventions of the lords and commons, by
means of the abdication, i. e. the running away of
king
t Nov 5. 1688.
* This fort of martyrdom was very common in ancient times,
according to that of the poet
*' Sine caede et fanguine pauci
*' Defccndunt rcges*, et ficca morte tyranni."
Ju7. Sat. X.
Few tyrants to the grave in peace dcfccnd ;
Abhorr'd they live, and blvr.d} is t/.i-ir end.
♦ Ki<:g and Tyrant were a!rT>ofl fynonlmous and convertih'e
terms wirh the Latin poets, orators and hKlotians : For they
hardly knew of any kinj'^s, but what were alfo tyrants ; and
hwd (carcly the iJt-a of fuch a Jiniitted, legal monarchy, as
Bfiti(h fubjedls have ihe Ijappinefs of living under.
f France had offered him 30,000 men to Pjpport his tyranny.
God ruhth in the Kingdom of Men. 2 7
king James, the prince and princefs of Orange were
eleBed, and invited into it ; and foon proclaimed king
and queen, to the great joy of all the true friends to
liberty. The adminiftraticn was, however, to be folely
in the hands of the king, during his life. In bringing
about which happy revolution, even many of thofe,
both clergy and laity, heartily joined, who had before
been loud and clamorous in aflerting the fenfelefs,
brutifli principles of pafTive obedience and non-refifl-
ance, in confequence of the fuppofed divine,indefeaf-
able right of kings by inheritance : Opinions now ex-
ploded by all men of fenfe. %
This was a new and memorable cera in the Engliili
hiftory. The declaration of rights prefented and read
to William and Mary, when they were invited into
the throne, afcertained the rights of the fubjefl, and
reduced the prerogative, which had been extended be-
yond all bounds \u many preceeding reigns, to its an-
lient limits. It Vv'as declared by the two conventions
before-mentioned, that the kings of England held the
crown by virtue of an " original contract," in oppo-
fition to the notions of an iadefeafeabb hereditary
right : And this was the bafis on \^ liich the govern-
ment was fettled. Froviuon was now made by many
D 2 parliamentary
\ " Mr. Hampden. It is a difgrace to our church lo have
taken up fuch opinions ; and I will venture te prophcry,that
" in future tla-.cs our clergy mud renounce them, or they
*« will be turned againfl them by thofe who mean their de-
«* ftruiflion. Suppofe a popijh kino on the throne Will
»» the clergy adficre to paiTive obedidence & n on refinance I
•' If they do. they deliver up :' eir religion toRomc ; if they
•* do not, their pradioe will i,\)nfute their own doctrine,
<* LorJ Faulkland. Nature, Sir, will in time bcfure to fct
«' right whatever opinion contradids her great lawsjet who
*' will be the teacher."
O'lalcgHes of ths Dead, Dial. I.
Ktputed Author, Ld, LvTTt?TO»,
2 8 God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men.
parliamentary a6ls, for fecuring the public liberty, and
the future peace and profpcrity of the nation. To
which ends,amongrt other things, the fuccelCon to the
crown was limited to the protefiant line of the royal
family, and all romancatholics, however nearly relat-
ed to it by blood, declared forever incapable of reign-
ing in England. The like was done in North- Britain,
at that time a diftincl kingdom.
KiN'G William and Queen Mary being (Ic^d with-
out leaving iiTue, the princefsAnn, a proteflanr, and
a daughter of the then lately out-lawed king James,
afcended the throne in conformity to the parliamen-
tary fettlement of the fucoenion. In her reign the
union between North and South-Britain, Vvhich king
William had zealouily recommended before, v^/as hap-
pily accomplifhed. An union, which the author of
nature hud pointed out between two nations on the
fanie ifland ; both lovers of liberty, both brave and
warlike, both generally proteflant ; mutually (landing
in need of one another's afliflance againll their com-
mon enemies ; and whofl" -Iraation, and martial fpirit,
whenever they were at variance, had reiidcr\i them
fore fcourges to each other. Queen Ann, iho' a
Stewart, reigned not without reputation and glory,
till one or two of the lad years of her life, when
file had fallen into the hands of bad miniilers and
counfellor?. Her fon, the duke of GlouceRer, who
was otherwife to have fucceeded her^ died the year
before llie came to ihe throne. X So tliat the ele^Slor
of Hanover was now the prefumptive heir to the
prown. But the queen was furpe(^ed, and not with-
out fome good rcafons, of a ^Q^vTn to fet afide, if
polTible,
J He cljed in 1700, being in the iifK yertr of hi* age. He
was a prince of great hopes, whofe fhlhtr was princtGeorgc
of Denmark, the Queen's hufuarid*
God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men. 29
pofTible, the proteftant fucceiTion in that illuflrious
houle, in favour of her [doubtful] brorher, the che-
valier de St. George ; who, whether he were or were
not, the (on of the then late king James, was yec ex-
cluded from the throne by law, as a romancatholic.
Some, indeed, deny that the queen had any fuch in-
tention ; and that, with as much confidence as others
allert it. But be that as it may, upon her death §, the
elector of Hanover (George I.) was immediately, and
without oppofition, proclaimed king of Great-Britain,,
in conformity to the parliamentary fcttlcment of the
fucceffion, confirmed by repeated a(fl:5 in both the
precceding reigns. He was a proteftant, nearly relat-
ed to the crown by blood ; at leall nearer than any
other proteftant prince, or princefs, then living -[-.
And he reic;ned with wifdom, juflice and clemency,
tho' nor without (ome dilfurbances, and one open re-
bellion, railed in favour of the pretender. He died
in the 13th year of his reign, leaving beliind him
the chara«5ler of one of the wifell, juffeft, and moft
magnanimous princes of his age. And on the death
of this truly great and good king, the Britiili crown
devolved, by the right of fucceffion as limited by
parliament, to his lute majedy king George IL f
By this brief Jeduclion you fee, on one hand, the
repeated efforts of tyranny, and on the other, the
glorious ffruggles for liberty, of ' wliich Britain
was the fcene for many years. You fee how God
ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to vvhom-
foever he will. You fee how mercifully he delivered
the Britiih nations from one popilh and arbitrary kin^
at
§ In 171.}.
-j- The mother of K. George I. v.'as a grand-daughter of K.
James \ A princefs of a very diftin^uifaeti duiad;r.
J Anuo 1727.
30 God ruhth in the Kingdom of Men.
at the revolution ; and how he preferved it once and
agiiiii from another j I mean the pretender, whom
many perfons were defirous of introducing, to the
prejudice of the protcllant fucccfTion. You fee how
God has been the guardian of our hberties, civil and
^cred. You fee that Britifh fubjedls have the happi-
nefs of hving under a legal and limited monarchy ;
snd, what are fome of the fundamental principles, on
which the prefent government is eftabliflicd. In fine,
you fee by what right the princes of the houfe of
Manover have afcended the Britiili throne ; not a
chimerical and imaginary, but a folid, legal and
parliamentary one : The beft and mofl indifputabie
right, that any king can poilibly reign by, unlefs God
hiuifelf (liould, by a voice from heaven, proclaim him
king, or require us, by a prophet, to pay our alle-
giance to him as fuch.
But fome may poilibly expecl, that I l"hould fay
iomething more particularly concerning his late ma-
jei^y. And indeed, tho' I cannot pretond to give his
juft chara^er, yet it would be hardly decent to pafs
over his many royal virtues in filence ; or to bury
fo good and venerable a king, without recolle^ing
fc)rne of thofc things, which ought to make us honour
liis memory.
His late majefly was unquefllonably endow'd with
a brillant genius ; with a great fliare of natural pe-
netration and fagacity. Nor was that genius luiculti-
■vated by learning ; fuch learning efpeciaily as be-
comes a king. He is f.\id to have been extremely
well verfed in hiftury,parvicu!arly that of Europe ; and
to have had a very thorough undcrllandi ng of the po-
litical inrcrelts and connexions of all the kingdoms
and flares therein. Wirhouc v/hich it cvould indeed
have
God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men, 3 1
have been impofTible for him to maintain his cliaracler
as the chief bulwark of its liberties, and of the pro
tcftant religion, as he actually was. As he came into
England at about thirty two years of age, and lived
there about twelve years before he came to the throne,
he had, during that period, an opportunity to acquaint
himfelf, not only with the Britifn conliiiurion, bivt
with the peculiar temper and genius of the people,
Nor could he fail to reap great advantage from the
in{iitution% the political maxims, and the example of
fo wife a king, as his royal father. And he was, like
him, what may be properly Called, a conlUtutional
king : One who well knew both the extent of his
own prerogative, and the rights of the people ; on«
who made the laws the rule of his governm.ent, and
whom even malice can hardly accufe of either doing,
or attempting to d^o^ an arbitrary, illegal thing, during
his whole reign. And it fhould be rcmember'd here,
that the Britilh conftitution and laws are (b wife, ifo
excellent, that he who uniformly makes them the rule
of his adminiflration, muft of confequence be a good
king ; at lealt he cannot eafily be fuppofed to be a
bad one.
And merely not to have been a bad king, is per*
haps grater praife than is due to far the moft of thoj^,
who have reigned from the days of Nimrod to the
prefent time. But to flop here, would be very in-
jurious to the chni after and memory of his late majeily.
He appeared, throughout his reign, to have the true
intcrelt r.nd honour ot Grear-Brirain at heart ; know-
■ jng tliat kings, efpccially Britiili kings, are made for
the people, and not people for kings. Notwithiland-
ing \Q'A\<t fro usj lujiiappy, but yet neceflary and un-
avoidable connexions, we have reafon to think tnac
his niaiellv*s uniform and c^reat aim was, to proniorc
tiie
3 2 God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men.
the good of his kingdoms. He was indeed indefa-
tigable in his endeavours to this end ; and, in the
language of the apoftle, "attended continually on this
very thing". He was an encourager of learning, of
manufa(ftures and commerce ; the two latter of which,
I fuppofe, never fiouriflied fo much in Great-Britan,
as under his aufpicious reign.
His majefty was at once a prince of great juflice
and great clemency. The former was evident from
his care to have the laws duly executed, without re-
fpecl of perfons ; and his not allowing the meanefl of
his fubjecls to be oppreded, fo far as it was in the
power of a Britidi king to prevent it. Nor were
private property, the life and rights of the fubjefl,
ever more fecure perhaps, than under his adminiilra-
tion. His majcfty's clemency appeared in many in-
fiances ; but in none more confpicuouily, than in his
conduct tovv-ards ihofc who were engaged in the black
rebellion of i 745. Very ^c^ examples were made
of royal juflice, after that horrid rebellion was at a
period. But how many traitors, even obliged, and
therefore ungrateful ones, were made examples of the
royal grace 1 His majefiy had a greatnefs of minci^
wi)ich made him chufe rather to reclaim his rcbelli-
Qus fubjcfts by his lenity, than to rid himfelf of them
Vy a juflifiable feveriry. And there is reafon to
think, that this truly god-like method of proceeding
had a great and happy effefl ; and was the means, not
only of recor.cliing, but (irongly attaching to his per-
lon and government, many people who had been un-
rcafbnably difaflecled thereto before.
His mnjefly, like his royal father, v.'q? a prince of
§h heroic and martial fpirit : A lover, indeed, of peace;
but one who would not faller himfelf or his lubiccts
to
God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men. 3 3
to be injured, without taking up the (word, when that
meafure became necedary. He was a king, not only
of great fpirit and refokuion, and the mod undaunted
fortitude ; but one who well knew how to command
armies in the field, when there was occafion for it :
Of which he gave fome not inglorious proofs.
His majefty was a prince, even by the confefTion of
his enemies, many of them at lead, of great fmcerity
and truth, of drift probity and honorjn all his public
Iran faftions, both towards his own fubjefts and towards
foreign dates and kingdoms. He was far above thac
deceit, artifice, and low-cunning,for which mod of the
Stewart race were fo eminent, the royal martyr him-
felf not excepted. In fliort, his whole reign was a
confutation of that infamous Machiavellian maxim,
" Qui nefcit difTimulare, nefcit regnare" — He that
knows not how to didembie, is ignorant of the art of
reigning.
It was intimated above, that his majedy was a true
protedant. As fuch he was a friend to toleration, and
religious liberty ; which cannot indeed be violated
without violating the natural rights of mankind. His
majedy did not aifeft, as defender of the faith, to make
his own private judgment and confcience a rule to his
fubjefts, or to tyrannize over their confciences. Nor
did he, as head of the church by law edablidied in Ki-
gland, endeavour to dedroy the church equally eda-
blidied by law in Scotland ; or defire to didrefs any
of his good protedant fubjefts, who might, in fomo
rcfpefts, dilTent from them both. Some inconvenien-
cies and hardfliips.I m.ean legal ones,thefe latter mighc
indeed be fubjeftcd to; which there is ground to think,
a prince of fo great equity and goodnefs, v/as fo'far
from beitfig pleafed with, that he would have been
E giad
34 Got) ruhth in the Kingdojn of MerH
glad to fee them wholly removed. Happy had it been
for the Britifh nations, if all his prcdecedbrs in the
throne had been of fuch generous and catholic prin-
ciples— The true church of Chrift needs not to have
her faith defended by any other weapons, than thofe
of (bber reafoii and argument,nnlefs it be againft thofe
who attack it v/ith carnal ones. Indeed wicked men
and hypocrites can hardly ever think their church fe-
cure, unlefs fbme other fword befides that of the fpi-
rit, is drawn in her defence, Tho' fhe have kings^
for her nurfing-fathers, and queens for her nurfing-
mothers ; iho' fliebe rocked in a princely cradle, and
fweetly charm' d to hex repofe with royal lullabies 5
yet fo perverfe are fome of her children, that they
can take no reft, unlefs others, out of her pale, are
put upon the rack, or otherwife harrafled with penal
laws — But, blefled be God, all our royal defenders of
the faith, fince James II, have been content to be
nurfmg»fatbers to the church, by preferving the pub-
lic peace, toleration, and liberty of confcience i The
happy effedls whereof have been very apparent in ma«
ny refpe^ls. And confidering the known juftice and
moderation of the royal houfe of Hanover, and alfo of
other eminent and diftinguifhed perfonages in church
and ftatc, we "need not wholly defpair of feeing th©
time, when all good pr<)tefTants, and loyal fubje^ls,
fl^^ll have their iharein the honors and emoluments of
the ftate, without being fubjecl:ed to any narrow-fpi-
rited, and injurious tejis.
But not to digrefs. It may be faid npon the whole,,
that the maxims of his late majefty's government were
wife, noble and truly heroic. And as his views were
in general pure, generous and fublime ; fb it pica fed
God to give him a profperous reign. During his reign,
Inhere have indeed been fome doaieflic trouycs, as
<jod ruleth in the Kingdom of Men. 35
well as foreign wars ; to prevent which, is not always
in the power of the wifeft and bed kings. Nor can
k be denied without blind nefs, or extreme prejudice,
that fome g^^'M and threatning evils, have been grow-
ing in the nation ever fince the revolution. Of which,
'however, diofe' only ought to bear the blame, who
were the criminal caufes of them. And even not-
withftanding thefe evils; it may be truly faid, that all
thefe reigns have been happy, attended with national
^profperity and glory ; particularly that of his late
;majefl:y. He ever exerted himfelf wifely and vigo-
roufly, and, by the bl effing of God, fuGcefsfully. to
promote the public good. The rebellion had a fea-
fonable (top put to it ; and the prudent meafnres fince
ufed, have in fome meafuro allayed old animofities,
and united,. parties. There has not, perhaps, been
greater harmony in the nation fince the days of queen
•Elizabeth, if then, than during fome of the laft years
of his majefty's reign. During which time, his ma-
jefty's counfels and arms have alfb been remarkably
profpered, not only for the defence of his own domi-
nions, but alfo for reducing the pride and power of
France. Neither of the four quarters of the world
is defiitute of glorious proofs hereof. Nor is it eafy
to mention any period, wherein the national honor
and profperity were greater, than at the time of his
majefty's deceafe : Even tho' he left his fubge£ls en«
gaged in a war, which we could have wiflicd him to
terminate with a glory and fuccefs, equal to that with
which it had been carried on for fome years before,.
This would have compieated both his and our worldly
•felicity ; and might have rendered the reign of king
George II. the moll glorious period in the Britiih
annals : Yea, it may, perhaps, flill be fb, nouvith-
ftanding this circumftance is wanting to compleac
;the felicity of It,
E % G^p
36 God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men^
God, indeed, blcfied his majefly with a long Iif@
and reign, tho' not fo long as his goo 1 fubjefls defired.
lie was, I fuppofe, the oldefl reigning ynnce in Eu-
rope, at the time of his deceafe : And, for many ages
pail:, no king of England had attained to his years |.
HadGou regarded the fond wifhcsof his loyal fabjefls,
he might indeed have been immortal : For the time
would probably never have come, when they would
have parted with him without j\ny rclu£lance. But the
inofl: High, v^ho ruleth in the kingdom of men. hath
leen meet to call him out of this world. And altho*
we cannot refign fo good a king, our comnjqn father,
without a degree of forrow ; yet we have doubt left
far more reafon to blefs God for fparing him to us
fo long, than v^/e have to murmur or complain at his
taking hira away from us at hil:. And while we ex-
prefs fuch an ingenuous grief as becornes dutiful
and obliged fubjccTcs on this occafion, there are, as
v/as intimated before, many circumftances to confole
us under the lofs, and make i)s acquiefce in this
(difpenfiuion of divine providence.
It may truly be faid of his late majefly, as it vvas
of k'ng David, that he *' died in a good old age,
full of days, riches and honor ''^. He died as ir were
in the arms of vi(f^ory ; triumphing over his enemies,
foreign and domeitic ; over the former by his arms,
and over the ktter by his goodnefs and clemency.
He left the nation in as prpfperous circumfh^ices,
ss could well be imagined in a time of war. He
had not only lived longer, but done more good, and
iherefore acqaiicd more glory, than mod kings, even
good ones, had done before him. Nor, which is a
BK^ft material circum(tance, did he die till he faw hii
yoyal grandluii and heir, trc<incd up under his owu
eye,
j He was al'iiofl 77. *^ i Chron, XXIX. 28.
QoB ruhth in the Kingdom of Men. % 7
sye, and that of a princcfs of very diftinguifhM merit,
arrived at fuch a maturity of life and judgment, as
qualified him for taking ihe government immediately
into his owu hands.
How much better has God been to us in this re-
fpe6l, than bur fears fometim.e fince ? not to fay,
than our deferts. which it were unnecefTary to add.
It is now ahiioft ten years (ince God, in his holy
providence, put us into tears and mourning, and a-
wakened our ferious apprehenfions, by the untimely
death of his royal highnefs Frederic, prince of Wales,
the then heir apparent, and father to his prefent ma-
Jefty. The late king was even then old and gray-
headed, and was alfo laid at that time to be infirm.The
next heir to the throne, he who, by the grace of
God, now (its upon it, was but about twelve years
of age. So that we had great reafon to fear, one of
die woes would befal us, which Solomon fpeaks o' ;
that of having a child, or fcarce more than a child,
io reign over us. His late majel^y, in his great wif-
dom and goodnefs, took all poffible care and pains to
guard againft the inconveniences and hazards of this,
jf it fhould pleafe God to take him away during the
minority, and tender age, of his royal grand fon. Bur,
to our great joy, it lias plea fed the mofl High to
lengthen out his important life, till he beheld the
heir of his kingdoms and dominions of full age,
and indeed more than full age, to govern them :
And it is fome time fince our jud apprehenfions
above mentioned, were laid afide. Thus graci-
oufly hath he, who ruleth in the. kingdom of
men, provided for our welfare. And as his pre-
fent-majefty is the firjl king of Great-Britain, born
therein, i. e. the firft born in the ifiand of Britain,
fince the kingdoms of England and Scotland were
waited, God grant he maj prove a great and equal
bleffmg
3S God ruieth in the Kingdom of M^n.
bleffiHg to both : And that the fubje^ls of both,
being now united in one kingdom as well as under
one .king, may have no fufpicions, no jealoufies, no
.contentions among themfelves, unlefs it is a conten-
tion, who (hall fiiew at once the greateft loyalty to
ills majefty, and the fincereft love to Briiifh liberty,
as founded in, as eftabliOied and fecured by, the
Bricilh laws : Which ought indeed to be more facred
withBritons,than the interefl: of any particirlar perfon
or family whatfoever. In faying which, I truft, 1^
fay 4>othing unbecoming a good fubjedl:, in contra-
diilindioa to a Have.
According to the larcd advices from Britain,
which came to town the laft evening, it fecms that
a >ery fpeedy peace is not now much expelled, at
leaft, that it is not to be depended upon. We have
indeed his majedy's declaration to the court on the day
of the late king's deatli, wherein, I think, this is im-
plied : A declaration conceived in fuch terras, as tend
to raife our expc6l:ations of great felicity under his
reign. You will doubtleis hear with pleafure part of
a fenience or two, exira(Stod from it, as it lias not
been made public amongft us — After fpeaking of the
great lofs which he and (he nation had fuftained in
the fudden death of the king, his majeHy proceeds
thus : ** But animated by the teadereft afre<ftions for
^< this MY NATIVE COUNTRY, and depending on the
^' advice, the experience and abilities of your lord-
** fliip^, on the fupport and affiRance of every honefl:
** man, I enter with chearfulnefs into this arduous
'* (ituation ; and ihall make it the bufinefs of my
'* life to promore in every thing the glory and in;-
'♦ tcrcR of thefe kingdoius" — A declaration truly
worthy a young Britiih monarch ; which we ought
J condvier, not as wordj; of courfcj but as proceed-
ing
God ruleth in the Kingdcm of Men. 39
ing from the royal heart of him that made k. ^ May
that God, who hath the hearts of all kings, as well
as of their fubje(5b, in his hand, confirm his majefly
in thefe noble lentiments, thefe truly royal purpofes -
and anach the hearts of all geod men to his perfon,
government and family. May he cioarh hJs enemies
with fhamc, while the crown iiouriilies on his head ,
and while three kingdoms with their dependencicJS,
happy under his aufpicious reign, Hiall with One voice
lay, '' Long hve king George III; and die at leafl:
'* as old, as profperous, as venerable, as much be-
'' loved, as much honoured, as George II !*' — All
this we fmcerely hope for ; and more than this wc
could not, perhaps, very modeftly defire — r— ^
Trough we ought always to remember our kre
Ibvereign with the greateft veneration, our allegiance
muft x\o^ be, or rather is already, transferred to his
royal grandfon and heir ; in whom, in fbme fenfe, he
ilill furvives& reigns. Thefe Northern Amerieancolo-
laies have indeed ever diftingui (lied themfelves by their
loyalty, and their zeal for the proteftanr fucceilion in
the houfe ©f Hanover. We had accordingly a great
jfliare in the affed^ions of his late majefly ; tlie happy
fruits of whofe royal care, and indefatigable endea-
vours for our fecurity and welfare, we now reap jn
feme
" * since this difcourfe was delivered, we have had his m:ijc(tv*s
gracioas, an<i mofi excellent {peech from the throne jo both
lioufes of parliament : fn one paragraph of which, he rs
pleafed to cxprcTs himfeifthus ■ '' Born and educated
*' in this country, I glory in the name of Britos ; and ir.c
** pecaliar happinefs of my life will ever conhft in promot-
*■' ing the welhsre of a people, whofe loyally, and warm af-
*' fedion to [vie, F conflder as the greatefl and mod perma-
*' nent fecurity of My throne : And 1 dou'jt not but rhfir
** {kadinefs in thofe principles, will equal t!.e firmnefs of
*"* my invariable refolution to adhere to, and lUcngthcc*
^^ skis excellent conftituiion"
40 God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men 6
ome mcafure, and are likely to reap in Rill greatsr
abundance in future times. His royal highnefs, the
late prince Frederic, had alfo a great concern for the
prolperity of the colonies, as he well knew both
their loyalty, and their importance to Great-Britain.
And had he lived to afcend the throne, we fhould
doubtlefs have had in him fuch another friend and
proteftor, as we have loft in his late majefty. We have
no reafbn to doubr, but that his prefenC majefty
will have the fame gracious regard for us ; and,
perhaps, perfe£t that deliverance fo happily begun,
and carried on fo far, for his American rubje(5^s, within
ihefe few years paft. May God give us favour in his
eyes, as he did in the eyes, both of his royal grand-
father and father, that our great lofs in them may be
made up in him 1 This we have reafon humbly to
hope, if we perfevere in our accuftomed loyalty ;-
and dill condu61 ourfelves as dutiful fubjefls. And
if our late, ever-honoured king, could now fpeak to
us, I am perfwaded he would admonifh ustofhew our
regard to his memory,not fo much by fruitlefly lament-
ing his death, as by a dutiful and loyal behaviour to-
wards his fucceflbr ; as the certain way to fccure his
royal favour, and, by the bleffing of heaven, to pro-
long,or even to increafc,our tranquility and happineft.
I almoft imagine I hear him fpeaking toUs,in common
with all our fellow-fubje£ls, in (uch terms as thefe —
" Alas ! my children, why do you thus in vain la-
*^ ment my departure from you I Was not man born
'* to die ? I was' long happy in yonr pffe^tion, and
*' dutiful regard to me. You were alfb long happy
*' under my government, iho' lefs {o than 1 fincerely
*' defired to make you. The relation of king and (ub-.
'* je(5t no longer fubfifts between us. But death,
'* which has diflolved that relation, has not been able .
*^ to diminilli my love to you, and concern for your
'' happinefs.
God fuleth in the Kingdom of Men. 41
" hstppinefs. I cannot indeed now promote it my-
" felf : But, behold that royal youth, whom yoti
" lately hail'd to the Britifh throne ! — Let all faftion
" ceafe ; be loyal ; be public-fpirired. And in him^
** as you have another George, expc£l alfo another
" friend to your liberties ; another guardian of youf
*' laws ; another father ; another victor over your ene-
*' mies,with extended empire, and increafing glory!" —
But let niehow clofethis difcoutfe with fome very
ihort reflections of a pra£licai nature -How tranfi-
ent is all worldly greatnefs and glory! Whofe death
is it, my brethren,that we have been meditating upon?
Is it not that of a king ? a great and profperous king ?
one, whofe fortune, whofe riches and honor, might at
once excite the envy of mod other monarchs, and
leave them in defpair of ever attaining thereto. But^
alas! what is worldly felicity, wordly glory? a fud-
den gleam ; a meteor darting along the fky, which i^
no (boner beheld,than it falls,and difappears forever--
" Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
If kings, if great and good kings, fuch as the fbve-»
feign of the world has dignified with the title of gsdsi
mujft fo foon " die like men,'^ certainly wc common
ttiortals (liould not either flatter ourfelves with thehopd
of immortality here, or place our fif)reme felicity in
this world. Can any of us hope ever to arrive at fuch
worldly profperity and greatnefs, as our late fovereii^n
enjoyed ? Not, certainly, if wc are in our right fenfcs.
But would even that fatisf y us ? Nor, unlefs we u'cre
more than mad. — Alas ! it is only a low ambition, a
fordid fpirit, that could take up contented with fuch a
portion, fuch an happinefs, without looking beyond
the grave ; For *^ man being in honor, abideih not''—^
F V^'s
4? God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men*
We ^re, moreover, admonifhed by this difpenfatioi^
pf providence, lo place our chief hope and confidence j^^
not in man, not even in mighty kings, and potentates,
but in the molt high God, who ruleth in the kingdom
of men, and hath the breath of all kings in his own
hand — •'' Put not your truitin princes, fays the royal
pfalmid:, nor in the fon of man in whom there is no help.
His breath ^oeth forth ; he returneth to his earth ;
in that very day his thoughts perifh. Happy [thenj
js he that hath the God of Jacob for bis help, whole
hope is in the Lord his God, which made heaven and
earthy the fea, and all that therein is; which keepeth
mercy forever." — The Lord fhall live and reign for-
ever : And the obedient fubje£ls of his kingdom fliall
be ever fecure, ever happy, in his favour and protec-
t'pn> tho' the kingdoms of this world are moved and
overturned, or both earth heaven were diflolved !
To conclude then : Let us all be adrponifhed to
put our trult in the great, the eternal God ; and, in thq
way of well-doing, to commit the keeping of our bo-
dies and fouls to hiin, as unto a faithful creator. Let
us both fear God, and honor the king ; which duties
the apoflle joins together. Let us endeavour tq lead
quiet and peaceable lives in all godlinefs and honefty ;
•* as free, and not ufing our liberty for a clokc of
malicioufnefs, bi|Pas the fervants of God ;'* and, by
pacient continuance in well-doing, feek for glory, ho-
nor and immortality. Let us be faithful and diligenc
in difcharging the duties of our feveral ftations in life;
knowing that we are foon to pafs off the flage of this
world, and to give an account of ourfelves to God the
judge of all. And let me remind you, that in the
judgment of the great day, it will be of far lefs impor-
ranee, who has been a king, or mighty monarch, and
^vhp ^ Ptj-fon of low degree, than it wil) be, who has
' bcea
God ruleth in the Kingdom oj Mm. 43
been a trwly upright and good, and who a difhoneft
and wicked man. For when the fea, death and hell
[hades] Ihall deliver up the dead that were in them,
^nd the fmall and great ihall (land together before
God, they fhall be *' judged every man according to
'' their works."
Wherefore now unto him, the king ^eternal, im-
mortal, invifiblcwho hath prepared his throne in the
heavens, and whofe kingdom ruleth over all j unto
him be glory for ever and ever, A m e n.
Page 24, bottom, for 1684, read 1685.
THE END.
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